SUP Fishing: An Affordable Way to Get to New Water

Quick Reference

What	Details
Board specs	10'6"–12' long, 32"+ wide, 300+ lb capacity
Cost	~$180 for inflatable SUP, ~$50 for PFD
Best conditions	Calm water, winds under 10 mph, morning before breeze builds
Season	May–October in the Rockies (after ice-off, before freeze)
River flows	Under 800–1,000 CFS on mellow rivers; avoid anything pushy
Flies	Keep it simple: Chubby Chernobyl, Woolly Bugger, or bobber + nymph
Rentals	Rendezvous River Sports (Jackson, WY) — $65/day

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SUP fishing is a great intro to river culture. It's fun, the upfront investment is reasonable, and you can access water that other people can't get to.

I tend to use my SUP as a way to access new areas rather than fishing while also paddling. Though it depends on the water. On a lake or a larger river, fishing from the board becomes easier—less stuff to navigate, more time to fish. On smaller creeks, you're mostly paddling to get somewhere, then fishing when you arrive.

A SUP will run you about $180 on Amazon. There are also great options for renting if you want to try it first. Please also invest in a PFD. Again, very affordable, and non-negotiable.

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The Gear

I have this Roc Inflatable SUP. It's $180 and comes with everything—pump, paddle, leash, bag. You don't need a fancy fishing SUP with a motor. I'm sure they work great, but this one does everything I need.

What I like about mine is the elastic cargo netting at the front. I stash my net, hip pack, snacks, and whatever else in there. You can also put your rod through the elastic netting—thread the reel through and have it angled off the bow. Kind of like one of those figureheads on the front of wooden ships. And yes, you can pretend you're Captain Nelson if you want.

For a dry bag, I use this Patagonia Disperser Roll Top. Works great for keeping your phone, wallet, and keys dry. Because you will get wet. I can't stress this enough—be prepared to get very wet or fall in at some point.

Bring minimal gear. Changing flies on a paddleboard is not fun. The board is moving, and if you're rigging, nobody is driving. Fish something simple: a Chubby Chernobyl, Woolly Bugger, or a bobber with a nymph. Stick to one fly until you've got the hang of things.

Remember, by being on the SUP you're accessing water that's less-pressured, so your flies are going to matter less. These fish haven't been educated by 47 different patterns this week.

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Technique

If you can, I recommend standing up. If you can't, kneeling works too. I find standing is more fun because you can see into the water.

When I cast, I lean the paddle on my left shoulder and cast with my right hand. This part can be a bit tricky. Take it slow.

One thing worth mentioning: if you're somewhere popular, people will take pictures of you. So if you want to dress up so you look hot for @skylerfromdallas's 842 followers, go right ahead.

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Lakes

SUP fishing works great on lakes. No current to manage, calm water, and lots of coves to explore. It's a great way to get the whole family out.

Lakes Worth Checking Out

Piney Lake (Piney River Ranch), Vail, CO — This is the vibe. Small alpine lake at 9,350 feet with the Gore Range as your backdrop. Twelve miles outside Vail at the end of a dirt road. Rentals available ($40/hr) or bring your own ($10 launch fee). There's a restaurant on-site, which is a nice touch after a morning paddle. Open late June through September.

Mirror Lake, Uintas, Utah — At 10,050 feet in the Uinta Mountains, this one's gorgeous. No motorized boats allowed, so it stays quiet. Rainbow, brook, and tiger trout. If you want more solitude, hike your inflatable to nearby Fehr or Ruth Lakes—you'll be the only one there.

Brainard Lake, Colorado — About 50 minutes west of Boulder at 10,300 feet. The Indian Peaks sawtooth ridge behind you is cinematic. Non-motorized boats only, good fishing. You'll need a timed-entry parking reservation in summer—plan ahead.

Alta Lakes, Telluride, CO — Three small alpine lakes on the backside of the Telluride ski area. Feels like the Swiss Alps. The drive up is an adventure itself. Less fishing pressure than bigger waters, more postcard views.

You can even hike in with an inflatable SUP—many of them (the one I use included) come with a backpack carrier. I wouldn't hike Mt. Rainier with it, but it's a nice option. Hike in one mile and you'll be the only paddleboarder on the lake. Depending on your situation, maybe that's worth it. You never know, could be fun.

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Rivers

SUP fishing works great on rivers too, but you need to pay attention to flows.

Flow Guidance

CFS (cubic feet per second) varies wildly by river—500 CFS might be mellow on one river and pushy on another. That said, here's a rough starting point:

Flow	What to Expect
Under 500 CFS	Usually very manageable, might scrape in shallow spots
500–1,000 CFS	Good range for most mellow rivers
1,000–1,500 CFS	Getting pushier, know what you're doing
Over 1,500 CFS	I'd skip it on a SUP unless you really know the river

Check flow conditions before heading out. Every river is different—learn what yours looks like at different levels before committing.

Rivers Worth Checking Out

Upper Colorado: Rancho del Rio to Two Bridges — This is the mellow section. No real whitewater, just easy floating through canyon country. Put in at Rancho del Rio, take out at Two Bridges (about 8 miles). Works well at 600–1,000 CFS. Shuttle services available in Kremmling—search "State Bridge shuttle." No permit required.

Snake River: Jackson Lake Dam to Pacific Creek — Five miles of Class I water through Grand Teton National Park. Scenic, mellow, good chance of wildlife. Put in below the dam, take out at Pacific Creek boat ramp. You'll need a park boat permit ($25/vessel from the Moose Visitor Center). Best July–August when water's warmest. Rentals at Rendezvous River Sports in Jackson.

Green River: Ruby Ranch to Mineral Bottom (Labyrinth Canyon) — This one's a commitment: 47 miles of flatwater through stunning red rock canyon. No whitewater at all—perfect for SUPs. Most people do it in 3–4 days. Put in at Ruby Ranch ($10/boat + $5/person), take out at Mineral Bottom. BLM permit required (free, download from recreation.gov). Watch for afternoon headwinds—they're brutal. Bring all your water; the river's too silty to filter.

We did a float in Grand Teton and were amazed at how after 5 minutes, we were completely isolated. Bald eagles overhead, big trout and whitefish, otters playing around. Super cool. You can get to water other people simply aren't in.

Shuttle Logistics

River SUP usually means running shuttle—two vehicles or a shuttle service. Most river towns have outfitters who'll move your car for $20–40. Search "shuttle service [river name]" or ask at local fly shops.

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Safety

Wind

I wish I had some sage advice or a hot tip for you here. I do not.

Wind is not fun while fishing. It's also not fun while on a SUP. Put them together and you've got yourself a not-fun sandwich.

If it's really windy, pick another activity. They don't mix well. In the mountains, mornings are usually calmer—afternoon winds tend to build by 1–2pm.

Cold Water

Mountain lakes and rivers are cold—often 45–55°F even in summer. Falling in isn't just uncomfortable, it can be dangerous. If you're on cold water:

• Wear your PFD. Always.
• Dress assuming you'll end up in the water (synthetic layers, not cotton)
• Know how to get back on your board—practice this in shallow water first
• Don't go alone on cold water

Leashes

On lakes, a regular ankle leash is fine. On rivers, use a quick-release waist leash instead. An ankle leash in current can get caught on rocks or debris and pull you under. Quick-release leashes attach to your PFD and let you separate from the board instantly if something goes wrong.

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When to Go

In the Rockies, SUP fishing season typically runs May through October:

• May–June: Lakes are icing off, water is cold. Rivers might still be running high from runoff—check flows.
• July–August: Prime time. Warmer water, lower flows on most rivers, longer days.
• September–October: Fewer crowds, fall colors. Water's getting cold again, so dress for it.

Fish early morning when winds are calm. By afternoon, mountain breezes usually pick up and make SUP fishing a chore.

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The Bottom Line

SUP fishing is cheap, accessible, and gets you to water that most people never see. A $180 board, a PFD, and whatever rod you already own—that's all you need to start.

Keep your gear minimal, your flies simple, and be ready to get wet.